Fall 11, Year 1.

Claire's eyes fluttered open to see dim light flowing in from her open window. Her blonde hair was thrown all over her pillow and there was a smile planted across her face. That dream sure messed her up. She wondered what it meant, but now wasn't the time to think about that. She had to work on the farm, which was her favorite thing to do.

While Claire filled up her watering can that was shaped like a cow she had flashbacks of last night, which led to flashbacks of when she was nine years old. She remembered when she visited her grandfather on the farm and would help him with the chickens and cows. But one day she was running around, with the chickens when she tripped and a piece of loose wood on the chicken coop sliced her leg right open. Her grandfather couldn't carry her all the way to the hospital and by the time he did get here there, it would be really bad, way too much blood loss. So he ran inside, grabbed his first aid kit and came running to her.

Claire smiled, she remembered him being so scared, she was crying mostly from all of the blood coming out of her leg, but she knew she would be okay. She watched her grandfather take a deep breath and slowly stitch the needle through her leg. She barely felt it, her leg felt numb from the giant gash. From then on, her grandfather made sure she knew how to clean and stitch a wound.

Claire came out of her daze and realized she already watered all of her crops. That was quick; Claire wiped the sweat off of her brow, and set her watering can down by her shipping bin. In just a few days the crops would be fully grown by tomorrow. She could finally pay Jeff back. Jeff was a good guy, his wife got scary though when she was mad. Claire shuddered thinking about her yelling at Jeff and ran into the barn.

Her cows and sheep were happily munching on fodder left in their food bins. Well, since they're already eating, I'm just going to leave them inside for today. Claire petted her cows and sheep, kissing each one of their heads. She sheared off the sheep's wool and milked her cows. She got such large bottles of milk and tons of sheep wool that her shipping bin was almost full with livestock products.

The chickens were already eating too. Well, this day has sure been uneventful so far. Claire sighed and hugged each of her chickens. She loved her chickens so much, along with her cows and sheep of course. Her chickens clucked at her in delight as she picked up each of their eggs. Claire set them carefully down into the shipping bin, only keeping one to set it in the egg incubator. She couldn't wait to have another baby chick.

The sun was almost in the middle of the sky. It was about 11am. Claire thought she ought to go say some kind words to her "friend" Gray. She wanted to apologize again, hoping she wouldn't officially be on his hate list, if he had one of those. Claire sighed, time to get going. The Blacksmith was open by now.

Claire, now with her hair pulled up into a long blonde ponytail, wearing her blue overalls, headed over to the Blacksmith's. She was sort of nervous; she hoped Saibara wouldn't yell at her for distracted Gray from his work. Claire rubbed her neck, only to feel sweat. Ugh, she didn't want to be all sweaty around Gray. Talk about grossness. It was natural for her to sweat and she knew that, but being around guys you're trying to make amends with, is not good when you're all sweaty.

Claire now stood outside the Blacksmith. Her hand reached for the door and she hesitated. What would she say? Wait, why was she beating herself up about this? Her cheeks were turning pink and her hand was sweating. It's not like she likes Gray, she doesn't even know him and the last time she talked to him, and he was a jerk. Claire took a deep breath and twisted the door knob, and walked into the Blacksmith's.

Saibara stood at the counter with his usually straight face, that always looked mean and in the back stood Gray. Claire tried to avoid Saibara's eyes and headed into the back. "Hey, Gray. Can I talk to you, outside?" Claire motioned to the door with her head, Saibara scared her and she didn't want to be in his listening range.

"Fine" Gray looked at his grandfather and quickly, almost ran, out the door.

That was weird. Claire scratched her head and followed him out the door. He was leaning against the wall to the right of the door.

"Hey, I'm sorry for yesterday, Okay?" Claire crossed her arms; she was standing in front of him.

"It's whatever. I have worked to do, my grandfather will bitch at me if I don't get back" Gray started to head for the door but Claire blocked his way.

"Explain yourself first. I don't like guy who are jerks, especially to girls" She was thinking about Mary now, she didn't want him to be a jerk to her especially.

"You wouldn't understand" Gray looked away.

Claire grimaced, "You don't know that"

"My grandfather pushes me WAY too much and he expects way too much of me." Gray turned to look at Claire, he looked so tired all of the sudden.

"What do you mean he expects way too much of you?" Now it really does sound like she doesn't understand, she does, but she wants to know why Saibara pushes him.

"He thinks I don't work hard enough, I just want out of this town." Gray pushed past her, but Claire was quick and grabbed his wrist.

"Hey, I'm sorry…for thinking you were a jerk, it seems like you have a lot going on. I'd like to be friends, come talk to me when you need too, okay?" Claire smiled at Gray and let go of his wrist.

"Don't you have better things to do?" and with that, Gray walked into the Blacksmith and shut the door right in her face.

Claire sighed; she sure hoped she got through to him. She would like to help him, show him that this town was fun, once you got past your grandfather working you to the bone. She wished he had a grandfather that was like hers. She missed her grandfather dearly. She was devastated when he died.

Claire wiped her hands on her pants and headed towards the church, she felt like paying some respect to her deceased grandfather. Maybe he could help by giving her advice on what to do to help Gray. She actually felt bad for him. She wondered what was happening right now. She hoped Saibara wasn't yelling at him.

Carter was outside, with May and Stu, teaching them stuff about the Harvest Goddess. Claire ignored them and headed to her grandfather's tombstone. Claire got on her knees and started to pray.

Grandpa, I've missed you. It's not the same without you here, but I need some advice. This guy, Gray, he's been pushed around by his grandfather for a long time. Always pushing him and saying he doesn't work hard enough. I've seen him work though, when I go to get my tools upgraded. He is a fantastic blacksmith; I just wish his grandfather would see it. Please help, grandpa.

Claire kissed her fingertips and touched his tombstone and whispered, "Thanks". She got up, brushed off her knees and left the church. May and Stu waved to her and she waved back. Those kids were so cute. Claire smiled and headed too Mary's. She needed a new good book to read.

"Hey Mar-" Claire's words stopped short when she saw Gray at a little table reading. She didn't think he was the reading type, but where was Mary? She was probably on the 2nd floor, arranging books or something.

"Hey Gray" Claire smiled and sat down in a chair next to him. "I didn't think you were the reading type."

"I wasn't, but reading is the next best thing to leaving this town when I can't" Gray stuck his head back into the book.

"This town really isn't that bad, I'll show you that." Claire stood up and pushed the chair in. "I'll see you later, Gray"

Gray looked up right as Claire was walking out of the Library. His cheeks had a light tint of pink to them.

Claire groaned, Gray was such a pain. He didn't like this town, why was that? Was it because of his grandfather or was it because this was to country for him? Well whatever the reason, Claire was going to prove to him that the town and everything here wasn't covered in soot.

Claire was walking back to the farm when it started to rain, just great. She didn't have her umbrella with her. She was by the winery so she just ran in there real quick. Manna was making dinner and Duke was probably off in the cellar working with Cliff. She helped Cliff get a job here so he wouldn't have to leave. Mineral Town seemed good for him.

"Hey, Manna. Sorry for just rushing in here, I didn't want to be soaking wet when I got home" Claire laughed at little embarrassed.

"Oh that's okay. I was just making dinner. You can stay if you want, though I don't know if you want to be sharing a meal with Duke, Cliff and me. It is my birthday though and it would be really nice if you stayed, plus I'm making curry which is Cliff's favorite. Oh! I'm sorry, I'm rambling. You can stay if you want." Manna smiled and continued to stir the curry.

"Oh thanks, Manna. I think I'll stay. It smells really good and I haven't talked to Cliff since I got him the job here." Claire smiled and took a seat at the table just as Duke and Cliff walked in.

"Oh hello, Claire" Duke burped slightly.

"Oh no, you have not been drinking again have you?" Manna stopped stirring to scold Duke. Claire does not like to be wrapped up in arguments so she silently slipped out of the house. It was still raining but only light sprinkles now. Thank goddess, Claire thought.

Claire jogged home, and by the time she got there. She was soaked. How did this happen? Claire sighed and opened her front door, through off her clothes and ran into her bathroom, to take a hot bath. Claire ended up falling asleep in there, she felt herself fully submerge in the water, but she was too tired. She felt like she wouldn't wake up again.

Hey guys! I hoped you liked the 2nd chapter :) I'm hoping this story gets liked by a lot of people. Review with your comments, what I need to improve, etc. etc. Thanks! Chapter 3 will be uploaded by this week :'D